This was a busy day and toward the end in connection with a discussion about the "modernist "controversy we were reminded by a prominent theologian of our country that today is the feast of St Pius X.  He is the Pope who issued the Encyclical "Pascendi Dominici gregis" ("Feeding the Lord's Flock")  100 years ago and this anniversary gave the occasion to reheat the dispute about modernist issues for example in the current volume of the excellent (Jesuit) magazine "Theological Studies"  (Vol. 68, No .3.).

To commemorate this event I would like to quote here Jacques Maritain: "When one considers the neo-modernist fever ... very contagious, at least in circles described as "intellectual", compared to which the modernism of Pius X's time was only a modest hayfever,  and which finds expression above all in the most advanced thinkers among our Protestant Brothers, but is also active in eqally advanced Catholic thinkers, this second description gives us the picture of a kind of "immanent" apostasy (that is, which intends to remain Christian at all costs). In preparation for many years, hastened by certain veiled hopes of the repressed regions of the soul which were stirred up here and there on the occasion of the Council, the manifold manifestation of this apostasy is sometimes falsely ascribed to the "spirit of the Council", or even to the "spirit of John XXIII". We know well to whom it is proper to trace the paternity of such lies (and so much the better if in this way man finds himself a little exonerated). But the point is, people no longer believe in the devil and in the bad angels, nor the good ones, naturally. They are only external survivors of some Babylonian imagery. ..." (The Peasant of Garonne. An Old Layman Questions Himself About the Present Time,  Macmillan,: Toronto, 1968  pp. 14-15)  

After reflecting on this problematic the main question seems like to boil down to the question what characteristics need a philosophy have to be able to become partner of Catholic theology?  We believe that there are certain features that are necessary, like to asert the existence of objective reality and the possibility to know this reality. What is your opinion about it?

What do you think of these "immanent apostates"? Do you know them?

Kris